Gympie's Caitlyn Shadbolt teams up with Lee Kernaghan

UNDIVIDED attention was given to Australian country music royalty Lee Kernaghan as he addressed a sell-out crowd inside Maryborough's Brolga Theatre last Sunday night.

In town on his The Songs and The Stories in Concert tour, in support of new chart-topping album Spirit of the Anzacs, Kernaghan enthusiastically introduced Gympie's own Caitlyn Shadbolt to the stage.

Describing Caitlyn as a 'Gympie girl', the crowd roared with approval knowing who the guest would be.

The surprise guest appearance came about after Caitlyn had been in the audience at Kernaghan's Nambour show the night before.

It was during a catch-up backstage when Kernaghan invited Caitlyn on stage in Maryborough to perform a cover of Bruce Springsteen's Fire.

Having already performed a handful of times with the country music giant, Caitlyn did not hesitate.

"I said 'hello' after the show and Lee offered," Caitlyn said.

"He's a really nice guy and has time for everyone."

While the pair had performed before, Caitlyn still felt a rush of excitement.

"I still get that rush and each time we have performed together, it has been an on-the-go thing - a lot of fun," she said.

From Nambour to Maryborough and yesterday the Gold Coast, the Gympie singer was on the Glitter Strip writing new material for an album to follow her debut self-titled EP and hit lead single, Shoot out the Lights.

The writing process is well under way and coincides with the singer going back on tour as she co-headlines the Unwired Tour with fellow ABC artist Travis Collins and this year's Tamworth Country Music Festival's Toyota Star Maker winner Mickey Pye.

The Unwired Tour kicks off this Friday at the Walrus Club, Regatta Hotel in Brisbane and will stop at various locations down the Australian east coast.

Gympie's tour date is December 11 at the Royal Hotel and fans may ring the venue on 5482 1144 to book tickets.

While the Gympie singer continues working on new material and prepares to tour, Caitlyn is also flying high after a live performance at the Rainbow Beach Spring Festival and an in-store appearance at Gympie's Sanity store the week of the Muster.

Fans are still buzzing about the meet-and-greet.

"It is so important I stick around and meet everyone," Caitlyn said. "They go out of their way to be supportive and that's why I'm where I am today."